Portland Dorset

Portland was the host for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Sailing Events
and justifiably so. It is a spectacular place. Placed in the centre of
the incredible English Channel Jurrasic Coast, a World Heritage Listed
site, it has one of the largest man made harbours in the world.

Fantastic.

The area is eight miles from the seaside town of
Weymouth
on a massive rock that has been described as a northern Gibraltar for it
is very like that massive rock in the Mediterranean. Known correctly
as the Isle of Portland it is not quite an island for Chesil Beach
connects it to the mainland. Chesil Beach itself, or Chesil Bank as it
is also known, is an eighteen mile long stretch of shingle, one of
three in the country. The A354 road has a bridge over Chesil Beach to
Portland, the only road in.

Together Portland and
Weymouth
are a borough on the coast of the lovely county of
Dorset
that jewel in the centre of southern England. Portland is only four
miles long and one and half miles wide, but it packs a punch for
location. See it from the South West Coastal Path on top of the cliffs, stunning!!!

The sea area Portland is well known in the British
Shipping Forecast along with Dover, Wight and Plymouth covering the
English Channel. Probably quite useful during 2012!

Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast itself is 95 miles long of incredible scenery and
extends from Swanage to Orcombe Point near Exmouth. Portland, among
several, is one of the gateway towns to the coast. The coast is well
known for its landforms and fossils and Portland Museum is a local
interpretive centre.

The Jurassic Coast became England's first natural
World Heritage Site. One of the world's greatest walks is the stunning
South West Coast Path National Trail, part of which passes along the
Jurassic Coast.

The only road in is the A354. First
Group do run a bus service from Weymouth to Portland. Weymouth itself
has plenty of public transport in and to the town, local bus, coach and
train.

Recommended is the delightful bus trip along the coast from
Weymouth to Exeter via Lyme Regis. Spend the day exploring the coast
from the top of the X53 bus.

Portland Harbour

The building of Portland Harbour started in the middle of the 1800's. The breakwater was largely constructed with stone extracted from the Public Works Quarries at the Grove by Portland prisoners under a very hard labour
regime. Some prisoners were trained under this project and later went to
Australia where they contributed to building projects there.

Many
warders at the prison were themselves stonemasons etc. Two warders, brothers, (one
of them the head warder) were first cousins of the writer, Thomas
Hardy.

The harbour and its breakwater today stands as a memorial to the work of both
prisoners and warders and nowadays a joy to the modern world.

This fascinating old photograph is by courtesy of Portland Grove Prison Museum which is the building seen on the right of the trees on this c1904 postcard.

Portland Prison was an
important part of the history of Portland. The prisoners were
responsible for supplying the stone for the harbour breakwater and many of the
buildings seen at the Grove. They rebuilt Portland Prison from 1895 to 1915 using Portland stone.

The Grove Prison Museum is located in part of the Deputy
Governor's house opposite the main gate of Portland Prison. It has
become an interesting museum portraying as best as they can a piece
of the original Portland Convict Prison history from 1848 to 1922
when it became a Borstal Offenders Establishment to 1988 and on to
being a Young Offenders Establishment. Nowadays the prison's correct title is HMP (Her
Majesty's Prison) and HMYOI (Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institute)
Portland.

The Governor's House
was built in 1866, but the Governor's Gardens alongside were laid
earlier in 1851. Take it in as you explore Portland. You will find
it at the end of Grove Road. It is a short five minute walk
overlooking beautiful Portland Harbour and the Breakwater. At the
other end of the gardens, just past the Borstal Bowling Club is the
Jurassic coastal trail.

They are open four days
a week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Entry
is FREE. Donations are of course always welcome.

2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Portland was chosen to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
An ideal choice. The beautiful and large harbour certainly lends itself to the
event with its world wide reputation that it has some of the best
sailing waters there is. Together with the fact that the Weymouth and
Portland National Sailing Academy itself has world class facilities. A
massive plus is the stunning beauty of Portland and the rest of the
Dorset coast.

The location appealed to locals and visitors alike for the event could be viewed free from the coast!

Accommodation

There is accommodation at Portland, Queen Anne's House B & B or the Portland Heights Hotel.

If you cannot get in there try Weymouth a delightful venue in its
own right. The town is a favourite summer family holiday destination with its sandy beaches and safe swimming.

Best book early!!!! You will be so glad you did - Portland is such a lovely place. Check out the right hand column for an easy way of booking a hotel or perhaps self catering. What about a cottage near Portland.

Useful Information

Accommodation

Wessex Hotels
has accommodation in both Portland and Weymouth including Portland Heights Hotel and Queen's Anne's House. Click the link above and there is a choice on the left lower down for Portland and other places in the area. Please do not leave it too
late as choice will then be thin on the ground!

Weymouth
is the next nearest place if you cannot get in in Portland itself. There is plenty of public transport to Portland.

You may not want to stay in the town but the
Dorset
countryside around. It is an attractive area. Cottages are a very pleasant prospect, come and go as you please.

Want a cute car? Large car? Small car? Whatever you need you will find it here. You will probably find your favourite car hire firm here and Car Rentals do not add a penny to their price for looking all over for you!

Why not travel by Coach

If you do decide the leave the car at home and help the environment too, why not go National Express. They run coaches all over the country. Some pretty good fares too.

Just imagine - sit back and relax, no hassling with the traffic!!!

Do you know that you can book on your mobile phone and they will send the ticket as a text!!!!